Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN!
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Amanuensis Monday - Will of Jonathan Prescott (1645-1721)

I loved the idea, and recently decided to follow it in order to share ancestral information and keep the theme going, and perhaps it will expand to other genealogy bloggers.

What does "amanuensis" mean? John offers this definition:

"A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another."

Jonathan Prescott (1645-1721), son of John and Mary (Gawkroger) Prescott, died testate in Concord, Massachusetts. He wrote a will on 23 November 1721. His probate records are in Middlesex County (MA) Probate Records, Probate Packet #18,082 (on FHL Microfilm 0,421,496), transcribed by Randy Seaver). The will reads:

"In the Name of God Amen I Jonathan Prescott senr of the Town of Concord in the County of Middlesx in the province of the Massachusets Bay in New England yeoman being of good and perfect memory praise be given to God for the same yet Knowing the unceertanty of this Life on Earth and being willing to settle things in order to make and ordain this to be my Last will and Testament hereby Revoking all former wills by me made and signed to be null and of none effect.

"In Primas my Soul I give in to the hands of Allmighty God that gave it in hopes of eternall Life through our Lord Jesus Christ and my body to the Earth from whence it came to be decently Interred at the Discretion of my Executors hereafter mentioned -- and after my funerall expences and debts satisfied and paid what worldly goods it hath pleased God to Endow me with all I do give and bequeath in manner as followeth --

"Item = Give and bequeath to my wellbeloved wife Ruth Prescott all that Estate which shee brought with her to me and the use of one Room in my dwelling house as Long as shee cause to Improve it which Room shewill and comonancy of Room in the cellar and Chamber for her use and Liberty of the use of the garding and of the pump for water as she shall have occassion and one cow and two sheep I give her for ease.

"Item I give and bequeath to my son Samuel Prescott the sum of five pounds he having all Ready Received a childs full portion of my estate.

"Item I give to my three Daughters Elisabeth Fowl Mary Miles and Dorothy Bulkley and my Daughter in Law Rebeckah Prescott to each of them Ten pound apeice in or as money to them or thier heirs within the space of one year after my decease.

"Item I give and bequeath to my son Jonathan Prescottmy medow at the South Bridge and to my son Benjamin Prescot my wood lott to them and thier Heirs and that all debts and accompt be in Consideration thereof Crossed And Canceled between them and myself till this day.

"Item I Give And Bequeath to my two sons Jonathan Prescott and Beniamin Prescott the Remainder of my whole estate both Reall and personall to be Equally Devided between them Each his share. Hereby Authorizing And fully Impowering my two sons Jonathan Prescott And Beniamin Prescott to be Executors together and severally of this my Last will And Testament In Witness whereof I the sd Jonathan Prescott have hereunto Set my hand And fixed my Seall the twenieth and third day of November Anno Domini one thousand Seven hundred And twenty one and in the Eight year of his majesties Reign over England &c.

On 20 December 1721, Ruth Prescott, widow of Captain Jonathan Prescott late of Concord, deceased, declared her acceptance of the last will and testament of her husband and desired that it be proved. On 20 December 1721, Jonathan Prescott and Benjamin Prescott, joint Executors of the estate of their honored father, posted bond of 200 pounds with the Court.

The will was proved at the Cambridge Court on 21 February 1721/2, with Nathaniel Jones and John Meriam Junior taking oath that Jonathan Prescott was of sound mind when he signed his last will and testament.

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About Me

I am a native San Diegan, a graduate of San Diego State University, a retired aerospace engineer, a genealogist and a family guy.
My wife (Angel Linda) and I have two lovely daughters, and five darling grandchildren. We love to visit them and have them visit us.
Angel Linda and I love to travel to visit friends and relatives, to sightsee, to cruise or to do genealogy. Our travels have taken us all over the USA, to England, Down Under and Scandinavia.
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